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Cleaner's angry resignation note sparks flood of support Cleaner's angry resignation note sparks flood of support
(32 minutes later)
A resignation note left by a cleaner for her boss has gone viral on Twitter, with people speaking out against the poor treatment of support staff.A resignation note left by a cleaner for her boss has gone viral on Twitter, with people speaking out against the poor treatment of support staff.
Julie Cousins walked out of her job as a cleaner for HSBC last Friday after 35 years, according to her son Joe.Julie Cousins walked out of her job as a cleaner for HSBC last Friday after 35 years, according to her son Joe.
In her note, the 67-year-old wrote that she was leaving due to being "dressed down" in the office by a manager.In her note, the 67-year-old wrote that she was leaving due to being "dressed down" in the office by a manager.
HSBC told the BBC it could not comment on individual personnel issues but was working to understand what happened.HSBC told the BBC it could not comment on individual personnel issues but was working to understand what happened.
Ms Cousins wrote in the note that the treatment she experienced was "nothing more than aggressive and cruel".Ms Cousins wrote in the note that the treatment she experienced was "nothing more than aggressive and cruel".
"So going forward, please all of you remember - in a world when you can be anything, be kind, because you are all no better than the cleaner.""So going forward, please all of you remember - in a world when you can be anything, be kind, because you are all no better than the cleaner."
And this is why I love my mum. She’s been cleaning banks for 35 years and today walked out with this lovely note left for that awful manager. Happy retirement Mum - always have the last laugh eh! 💚☺️ #Tada pic.twitter.com/u8G73MTPMA Well done her, my dad was a caretaker of a school for 30 years, so many rude staff. When I started teaching I swore I would always be friendly to all staff contributing to the school. pic.twitter.com/JYbNaMnzAR
She told the Mail Online that she was retiring, and that although some people might think it was "just a little cleaning job", she had relied on the work during the five years she spent at the HSBC branch.She told the Mail Online that she was retiring, and that although some people might think it was "just a little cleaning job", she had relied on the work during the five years she spent at the HSBC branch.
'I've no idea when I'll be told what shifts I have''I've no idea when I'll be told what shifts I have'
'Employers won't give me a chance over sight loss''Employers won't give me a chance over sight loss'
'Bosses ignore you if they can't say your surname''Bosses ignore you if they can't say your surname'
Ms Cousins stressed that she felt cleaners were often "forgotten" by others in the workplace.Ms Cousins stressed that she felt cleaners were often "forgotten" by others in the workplace.
She added that she decided to leave after the upsetting incident with the manager, as she wanted to work with people she felt comfortable with.She added that she decided to leave after the upsetting incident with the manager, as she wanted to work with people she felt comfortable with.
Her son's Twitter post sharing Ms Cousins' resignation note struck a chord with many people on the social network who agreed with her. Her son's Twitter post sharing Ms Cousins' resignation note struck a chord on the social network, attracting more than 3,000 comments.
Many users said their parents, children and colleagues had been treated badly working in support staff roles such as cleaners, caretakers, janitors, security guards and receptionists.Many users said their parents, children and colleagues had been treated badly working in support staff roles such as cleaners, caretakers, janitors, security guards and receptionists.
When interviewing people for jobs, I always asked the reception staff how they were treated by the candidate. A few failed the 'attitude test'.When interviewing people for jobs, I always asked the reception staff how they were treated by the candidate. A few failed the 'attitude test'.
"When interviewing people for jobs, I always asked the reception staff how they were treated by the candidate. A few failed the 'attitude test'," said Tim, a retired businessman and engineer in the West Midlands."When interviewing people for jobs, I always asked the reception staff how they were treated by the candidate. A few failed the 'attitude test'," said Tim, a retired businessman and engineer in the West Midlands.
Cleaner Tracy Sadler said that she "loved" the note that Mrs Cousins wrote.Cleaner Tracy Sadler said that she "loved" the note that Mrs Cousins wrote.
"I am a cleaner [with] three part-time jobs, and sometimes people can be cruel," she wrote on Twitter."I am a cleaner [with] three part-time jobs, and sometimes people can be cruel," she wrote on Twitter.
"We as cleaners have kept this world and all their buildings and shops and homes clean - cleaners matter also.""We as cleaners have kept this world and all their buildings and shops and homes clean - cleaners matter also."
I love what your Mam has done, i am a cleaner of 3 part time jobs, and sometimes people can be cruel. We as Cleaners have kept this world and all there buildings, and shops and homes. clean. If it wasnt for us.. .. well i will leave the rest to you all. Cleaners matter also xI love what your Mam has done, i am a cleaner of 3 part time jobs, and sometimes people can be cruel. We as Cleaners have kept this world and all there buildings, and shops and homes. clean. If it wasnt for us.. .. well i will leave the rest to you all. Cleaners matter also x
Multiple users said that that it was important to make an effort to chat to cleaners and other support staff in the workplace, treating them as colleagues, rather than inferior workers.Multiple users said that that it was important to make an effort to chat to cleaners and other support staff in the workplace, treating them as colleagues, rather than inferior workers.
They added that doing so led to a pleasant working environment, a sense of camaraderie, and even cleaner offices to work in.They added that doing so led to a pleasant working environment, a sense of camaraderie, and even cleaner offices to work in.
Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady told the BBC: "Cleaners have played a vital role during this pandemic keeping workplaces and public spaces safe, often at great personal risk.Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady told the BBC: "Cleaners have played a vital role during this pandemic keeping workplaces and public spaces safe, often at great personal risk.
"Employers and the government must do more to value the contribution these overlooked key workers make.""Employers and the government must do more to value the contribution these overlooked key workers make."
She added that more needed to be done to improve pay and conditions: "It's not right that so many cleaning staff are on low pay and insecure contracts."She added that more needed to be done to improve pay and conditions: "It's not right that so many cleaning staff are on low pay and insecure contracts."